Non-anemic iron deficiency predicts prolonged hospitalisation following surgical aortic valve replacement: a single-centre retrospective study.

Background: Iron deficiency has deleterious effects in patients with cardiopulmonary disease, independent of anemia. Low ferritin has been associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, but modern indices of iron deficiency need to be explored in this population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-centre observational study of 250 adults in a UK academic tertiary hospital undergoing median sternotomy for non-emergent isolated aortic valve replacement.

High Altitude and Acute Mountain Sickness and Changes in Circulating Endothelin-1, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-17a.

Introduction: Hypoxia induces an inflammatory response, which is enhanced by exercise. High altitude (HA) leads to endothelial activation and may be proinflammatory. The relationship between endothelial activation, inflammation, and acute mountain sickness (AMS) and its severity has never been examined.

Rating of perceived exertion and acute mountain sickness during a high-altitude trek.

Background: There is a widely held belief that strenuous exercise should be avoided on arrival at high altitude (HA) and during acclimatization. Data from chamber studies are contradictory and the studies are usually of short duration, therefore differing from the "real world."

Methods: We studied 48 trekkers during a 10-d ascent to 16,827 ft (5129 m) in the Cordillera Real area of Bolivia.

Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in ballistic injuries: a comparison between blast injuries and gunshot wounds.

Unlabelled: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is part of a functionally diverse family of proteins that generally bind small, hydrophobic ligands. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is expressed in a number of human tissues including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts and tends to rise in response to inflammation. For this reason, we hypothesized that levels of NGAL might be expressed at higher levels after blast injury compared with other ballistic injury.

Outcomes following military traumatic cardiorespiratory arrest: A prospective observational study.

Aim: To determine the characteristics of military traumatic cardiorespiratory arrest (TCRA), and to identify factors associated with successful resuscitation.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively for adult casualties suffering TCRA presenting to a military field hospital in Helmand Province, Afghanistan between 29 November 2009 and 13 June 2010.

Results: Data was available for 52 patients meeting the inclusion criteria.